National clean tech association renews calls for $3 billion in new investments

An emerging national organization of clean tech companies and investors has re-issued a call for the federal government to increase investments in the sector and restructure and expand Sustainable Development Technology Canada. The as-yet-unnamed group — which will meet in Ottawa this week to try and formalize their alliance — released a letter April 14 with more than 200 signatories to the prime minister and several Cabinet ministers. It reiterates four recommendations made in late February by the BC Cleantech CEO Alliance (see chart) calling for more than $3 billion in new investments.

In addition to the BC Cleantech CEO Alliance, the group is comprised of Écotech Québec, MaRS Discovery District and the Alberta Clean Technology Industry Alliance. Talks are ongoing with prospective members in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.

"We're getting together in Ottawa (this) week to put structure behind this initiative … Clean tech has jelled over the past few months and we want to speak with a single voice to make it clear that this is a national ask," says Jane Kearns, senior clean tech advisor at MaRS and fund manager of the MaRS Catalyst Fund. "It was pretty easy to get all these CEOs on board. I don't know the last time there's been a letter with so many people representing the sector."

Kearns says the timing of the letter was not designed to respond to the clean tech measures contained in the recent federal Budget, which totalled approximately $400 million (R$, April 4/16).

"We're definitely encouraged by the Budget and its recognition of this industry … Certain things were addressed in the Budget but at a different scale and time frame than we would prefer," says Kearns. "We want to introduce the priorities we believe will have the highest impact and draw on best practices internationally."

The recommendation for injecting $1.25 billion into SDTC far exceeds the $50 million over four years the Budget provided for the SD Tech Fund. The group goes even further, recommending that project cost sharing increase to 50% and reimbursement eligibility be expanded to include intellectual property, business development and project capital. It also calls for SDTC to incorporate best practices drawn from the US Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency.

As well, the group asks to participate in a working group struck in March following the meeting of first ministers in Vancouver to address clean growth and climate change.

"We propose the involvement of at least four of our representatives ... We commit to providing feedback and consulting our members on how to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and drive innovation across all sectors to transition to a low-carbon economy," states the letter.

A communiqué released following the first ministers meeting committed federal and provincial governments to the creation of four working groups, including one devoted to clean technology, innovation and jobs. The letter notes that the working group is scheduled to complete a plan and submit it to the minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development in October.

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